Fume and vapor collecting apparatus for false twisting machines

ABSTRACT

A SUCTION SYSTEM INCLUDING STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED NOZZLES FOR COLLECTING FUMES AND VAPORS ENTRAPPED WITHIN A PAIR OF TWISTED YARNS PASSING THROUGH THE HEAT-SETTING CHAMBER OF A FALSE TWIST MACHINE AND RELEASED AT SUBSEQUENT PROCESSING POINTS DUE TO THE FLEXING AND BENDING OF THE PAIR. THE SYSTEM FURTHER INCLUDES A SHIELD COVERING THE OPEN SIDE OF THE HEAT-CHAMBER TO PREVENT ESCAPE OF THE FUMES AND VAPORS TO THE ATMOSPHERE.

0a. 5, 1.971 A R1, H ER 3,609,951

FUME AND VAPOR COLLECTING APPARATUS FOR FALSE TWISTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 17, 1969 2 Sheets-Shoet 1 INVENTOR A. REESE HUNTER W /Ma ATTORNEY FUME AND VAPOR COLLECTING APPARATUS FOR FALSE TWISTING MACHINES Filed D60. 17, 1969 A. R. HUNTER Oct. 5, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A. REESE HUNTER ATTORNEY US. CI. 5734 United States Patent 3,609,951 FUME AND VAPOR COLLECTING APPARATUS FOR FALSE TWISTING MACHINES Allen Reese Hunter, 2624 Woodlyn Way, Greensboro, N.C. 27407 Filed Dec. 17, 1969, Ser. No. 885,814 Int. Cl. D01h 11/00, 13/28 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A suction system including strategically positioned nozzles for collecting fumes and vapors entrapped within a pair of twisted yarns passing through the heat-setting chamber of a false twist machine and released at subsequent processing points due to the flexing and bending of the pair. The system further includes a shield covering the open side of the heat-chamber to prevent escape of the fumes and vapors to the atmosphere.

During the false twist treatment of a synthetic yarn, a pair of yarn strands are first twisted together before delivery to a heat-chamber, where oils, waxes and other additives picked up and carried by the yarn are converted to undesirable fumes, gases and vapors by the heat. Generally, most of these fumes and vapors are released from the surface of the yarn as it passes through the heatchamber, and it has been suggested to collect these gases at the exit or delivery end of the heat-chamber by the United States Letters Patent No. 3,066,471 to Scragg. Significant quantities of fumes and vapors, however, are trapped internally in small pockets or cavities within each yarn strand and between the twisted pair. This condition arises from the fact that each yarn strand comprises a plurality of filaments twisted together forming fume entrapping pockets, and additionally the strands are further wrapped around each other to form additional pockets therebetween. These internally trapped fumes and vapors are retained by the yarn until it is flexed and bent at subsequent processing stations spaced from the exit end of the heat-setting chamber.

Heat chambers of the type used with conventional false twisting devices include an open side to facilitate threading of the yarn pair during set up of the false twisting machine. The open side leads to difliculties, however, when it is desired to collect the fumes and vapors at the exit or delivery end of the heat chamber as is shown by the Scragg patent, because substantial quantities of the fumes escape through the open side, rather than exiting at the delivery end.

The present invention, on the other hand, is adapted to overcome both of the above-discussed problems by first providing auxiliary suction nozzles adjacent the processing rolls, over which the yarn passes after it leaves the delivery end of the heat chamber, for collecting the entrapped fumes and vapors there released, which would otherwise escape to the atmosphere. A hinged shield is also provided across the open side of the heat chamber to allow access for threading the pair of twisted strands during set up, and yet to prevent escape of the gases therethrough during operation and channel such gases to the delivery end where they are collected by primary suction nozzles.

An object ofi this invention is to provide an apparatus for the removal of fumes and vapors released by the flexing and bending of a heated pair of twisted yarn strands in a false twisting machine, as well as collecting the fumes and vapors released in the heat chamber of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shield for the open side of the heat chamber which during operation channels the fumes and vapors to the delivery end Patented Oct. 5, 1971 of the heat chamber for removal by a suction nozzle, and which during set up is removed to facilitate threading of the heat chamber.

Another and more specific object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described; further including suction nozzles adjacent yarn flexing rolls spaced from the delivery end of the heat chamber to collect fumes and vapors released from within a pair of twisted yarn strands as it is flexed and bent over said rolls.

Other objects and uses of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the flow of a pair of twisted yarn strands through the heat chamber, across the subsequent direction changing rolls, and onto a take up package;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view with parts broken away of the apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the main suction duct and the nozzles leading to one yarn processing station; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, illustrating the shield for the open side of the heat chamber according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and especially FIG. 1, an exemplary machine with which the present invention is adapted for use comprises a false twist machine of the type wherein each of a plurality of yarn processing stations includes a pair of supply packages 2.7 and 27a from which yarn strands 29 and 29a are delivered to tension roll 36 with a predetermined number of twists per inch initially introduced by starter bobbin 30; a heat chamber 20 through which the pair of twisted strands 31 pass for thermal treatment; a series of directional changing, yarn processing rolls 32, 32a and 32b arranged in tandem and spaced from the exit end 20A ofi heat chamber 20 and which flex and bend yarn pair 31 through a Z- or S-path before directing the; pair through separating rings 33; and a pair of take up packages 34 and 34a to receive the separated and processed yarn strands 29' and 29A from separating rings 33f The above described apparatus is conventional in the industry and is not within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention. Rather, the present invention includes a fume evacuating means at one or more of rolls 32, 32a, and 32b in addition to a well-known nozzle 47 at the exit end of the heat chamber 20. Additionally, a shield means covers the open side of heat chamber 20 to prevent escape of fumes therethrough and channel the fumes released therein to the delivery end 20A of the heat chamber where they may be collected by nozzle 47.

A collection duct 41, having a central source of suction (not shown) connected thereto and extending longitudinally of the yarn processing machine past each station thereon, is suitably mounted to the frame of the machine on the feed side above the supply package creel so as not to interfere with the flow of yarn therethrough. Flexible conduit 17 connects duct 41 to the source of suction and is attached to duct 41 by clamping ring 18. At each of the machines yarn processing stations the collection duct 41 is provided with a plurality of suction inlets 24 in the Walls thereof, each inlet having one end of a flexible connection tube 13 attached thereto by some suitable means such as a grommet 12.

A valance 19 is suitably mounted on the machine and extends longitudinally in parallel spaced relation to duct 41. A series of openings 37 receive the opposite ends of flexible tube 13 in some suitable manner such as by spring fasteners 16. Suction nozzles 47, 48, and 48a are connected to openings 37 at the opposite side of valance 19 from the tube 13 and have the free ends thereof positioned adjacent the fume and vapor evacuation point at the delivery 20A of heat chamber 20 and adjacent the yarn processing rolls 32 and 32a. It is to be understood that an additional vacuum nozzle might be added to the apparatus at yarn processing point 32b if significant quantities of entrapped fumes and vapors are found to be released at this point. Each of the nozzles 47, 48 and 48a are rigidly mounted on valance 19 in a manner permitting adjustment of the respective nozzle tips to an optimum position over the delivery end of heat chamber 20 and at the subsequent processing rolls 32 and 32a as needed. Flexible connection tubes 13 connect valance 19 to collection duct 41 eliminating the requirement of precision manufacturing of the nozzles and connecting tubes as one unit and costly adjustments as the suction system is installed.

Shield 46 is pivotally positioned to selectively cover and uncover the open side of heat chamber 20. One means for so mounting shield 46 includes a plurality of brackets 44, 45, and 45a having one end thereof mounted to the machine frame and adapted to surround the periphery of heat chamber 20 in slightly spaced relation thereto. Shield 46 is hingedly attached to the free ends of brackets 45 and 45a by hinges 49 and 49a and is pivotal about a vertical axis between a first, closed position covering the open side of heat chamber 20 and a second open position spaced from the open side. In its closed position, a positively magnetized fastener element 25 mounted on lateral protrusion 26 from shield 46 magnetically engages a negatively magnetized fastener element 25a mounted on bracket 44 to retain shield 46 in place. Heat chamber shield 46 in the closed position prevents the undesirable fumes and vapors from escaping through the open front side of heat chamber 20 and, instead, channels them upwardly through the delivery end 20A to be collected by vacuum nozzle 47.

In operation and with reference to FIG. 1, supply packages 27 and 27a are positioned to furnish two separate strands of synthetic yarn filaments 29 and 29a which are subsequently twisted together and delivered through a yarn guide to a tension roll 36. The twisted pair 31 is then subjected to heat treatment in chamber 20 wherein fumes and vapors are released which are collected by nozzle 47.

The heat treatment of the twisted pair 31 causes each yarn strand to form a helical spring which remains set in each individual yarn strand after they are subsequently separated. However, in such a tightly twisted condition in heat chamber 20, the pair of twisted yarn strands, as well as the twisted filaments of each strand, entrap fumes and vapors in internally formed cavities or void spaces. As the pair of twisted yarn strands are flexed and bent over yarn processing rollers 32, 32a and 32b, subsequent to heat chamber 20, the entrapped fumes and vapors are released. Ordinarily the undesirable fumes and vapors would escape into the surrounding work space causing uncomfortable and injurious conditions for the machine operator.

Prior fume and vapor removal systems have failed to recognize the problem of entrapped fumes and vapors and their release at subsequent processing points. The present heat chamber 20, it would not vary from the object and spirit of this invention to alter the number of vacuum nozzles nor the order in which they are arranged at any of the subsequent processing points 32, 32a, 32b or separationpoint 35.

There is claimed:

1. In a drawing twisting machine of the type including a heat chamber through which a twisted pair of yarn strands are adapted to be processed, subsequent processing points where said twisted pair is adapted to be bent orf flexed, and a primary suction nozzle adjacent the de livery end of said heat chamber, the improvement comprising means for collecting entrapped fumes and vapors released at said subsequent points.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises at least one auxiliary suction nozzle positioned adjacent one of said subsequent points.

3. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said subsequent processing points include a plurality of yarn processing rolls mounted on said machine at positions intercepting in tandem the yarn strand subsequent to its processing through said heat chamber, said auxiliary suction nozzle being positioned adjacent the first of said yarn processing rolls.

4. The improvement according to claim 3 wherein further auxiliary suction nozzles are positioned adjacent other of said processing rolls.

'5. In a draw twisting machine of the type including an elongated heat chamber having an open side through which a twisted pair of yarn strands are adapted to be processed, subsequent processing points where said twisted pair is adapted to be bent or flexed, and a primary suction nozzle positioned adjacent the delivery end of said heat chamber, the improvement comprising the combination of:

(a) means for collecting entrapped fumes and vapors released at said subsequent points; and

(b) a shield covering said open side of said heat chamber for preventing escape of fumes and vapors therethrough and channeling said fumes and vapors to said delivery end of said heat chamber.

6. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said means comprises at least one auxiliary suction nozzle positioned adjacent one of said subsequent points.

7. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said shield is mounted for pivotal movement between a closed position covering said open side and an open position alinvention recognizes and solves the problem of entrapped 50 lowing access to said heat chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,431,726 12/ 1947 Bechtler 57-345 2,976,668 3/1961 Reiterer 57-34.5 X 2,977,181 3/1961 Reiterer 57-345 X 3,066,471 12/1962 Scragg 57-345 3,381,462 5/1968 Parker 57-345 3,445,996 5/ 1969 Berger 57-157 X FOREIGN PATENTS 954,127 4/ 1964 Great Britain 57-345 DONALD E. WATKINS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 57-345, 56 

